Public given peek into artists' workshops

By
Matt Neal

THE public has been given a peek into the workshops of Warrnambool artists as part of an open studio and winter market event run by F Project.

Hand print textiles artist Danielle O’Brien in her cushy studio.

THE public has been given a peek into the workshops of Warrnambool artists as part of an open studio and winter market event run by F Project.

The Saturday event was the second open studio day run by the south-west art collective in its home base at The Artery in Timor Street.

But F Project president Emma Charlton said it was the first to be paired with an artists’ market, which had helped draw more than 200 people.

She said that for many visitors it was the first time they had seen The Artery and learnt about F Project.

“We had so much amazing feedback along the lines of ‘I can’t believe how big this place is’ or ‘I can’t believe what you’re doing here’,” Ms Charlton said. “Every time we do one of these there are so many faces we’ve never seen before.”

As well as allowing the stall-holding artists to sell their wares, the open studio day let artists sell works out of their workspaces. But there were other benefits to the 20-plus studio spaces and being able to open them up to the public, Ms Charlton said.

“You get to have input from others by working alongside each other and having visitors come into your space and see you as artist is very validating,” she said.

Ms Charlton said it was hoped future events would also be able to incorporate other people’s studios around the region.